SeaFoam For Fuel Injection Cleaning? Think Again
 

I was doing a search for something on one of the other forums that I frequent and I came across this post:

Mikey B. is the technical services manager for BG products. Before anyone says that he's on a mission to sell BG products, notice that he recommends Techron as well.

Nevertheless, I think I'll save the Seafoam for cleaning my combustion chambers. For fuel system cleaning, I'll stick with a fuel system specific product such as Redline SI-1 or Amsoil PI.

:thumbsup:

Hmmm,good to know.Can we still administer any other cleaner through the vac line?

i still think seafoam isn't all its cracked up to be, but probably helps at least at a minimal level.

i use bg 44k for fuel, and seafoam for the oil and intake.

redline SI-1 fuel tank, seafoam in the others
who knows if chevron makes bg as well as techroline
There are not that many actual makers of stuff- just many labels!!

Seafoam- per their tech line- is hi detergent oils

do fuel injector cleaners really work if so what are the best ones that work

Ha! I was right all along. Explains why I haven't seen ANY noticable difference since I used the product.

If your system is in good condition, then the Amsoil PI and Redline SI-1 cleaners are effective for preventive maintenance.

If you are already experiencing problems, you should have a professional fuel cleaning services performed. It is more effective than an in-tank cleaner as they connect the fuel rail to a supply of concentrated fuel injection cleaning solution, so your vehicle actually runs off of this solution for 15 minutes. They also clean your combustion chamber, throttle body and add an in-tank cleaner as part of the service. Cost is about $150 and BG, Wynn's or MOC make chemicals for this. You can have this service performed at many shops.

seafoam -right on the can- has directions for use in fuel injection cleaning machines!
So it does work.
Robs car gets better mileage on low grade gas and has a clean engine,,,so something different going on there~
The rest of us benefit from using SOME type of cleaner occassionaly
Ethanol in the gas add extra crud everywhere
Different cleaners for different engine parts if thats what you choose, but
keeping things clean does help in the long run

No you werent. There is NO Proof that it doesnt. I have real world experience that it does, at least for me. Since using it routinely i haven't had my EGR ports clog up at all. There is almost zero build up. In the past when i would use it it wasnt at the frequency i do now and they would plug up by 70k.

Looks like the "Gas Chromatograph/Fuels Chemist" needs to retake Analytical.

"Gas Chromatograph/Fuels Chemist" Says:

Seafoam is "is loaded with alcohol"


MSDS Says:

10% - 20%.

Not "loaded" in my book.




"Gas Chromatograph/Fuels Chemist" Says:

contains IPA ("loaded" with it), "a dilution solvent" and "a small percentage of light mineral oil".


MSDS Says:

Naptha 25% - 35%; is this the "dilution solvent"? He couldn't indentify Naptha via GC or FTIR? or is this the "small percentage" of mineral oil? Because 30% isn't really "small", is it?


Pale Oil 40% - 60%; I assume this is actually the "small percentage of light mineral oil". But then again ~50% isn't really a small amount is it?




I don't know what "Pale Oil EPC# 4229" is, and I don't know, based on the MSDS, if Seafoam is a good cleaner.

What I do know is when people, like the "Gas Chromatograph/Fuels Chemist" make exaggerated, false or misleading claims, it just screams :bs:


http://www.seafoamsales.com/pdf/MSDS_SFTT_US.pdf

FWIW, our intrepid "Gas Chromatograph/Fuels Chemist", suggests Techron. Hmmm, wonder what's in Techron. Lets see, shall we?

<50% Distillates, hydrotreated light (CAS# 64742-47-8) (aka Kerosene)
<35% Stoddard Solvent (aka Naptha)
5% - 10% Solvent naphtha, light aromatic
1% - 5% 1,2,4 trimethyl benzene
0.1% - 0.5% Xylene


IOW - Mineral Spirits (similar to Seafoam), petroleum oil distillates (similar to Seafoam) and a bit of aromatics (my *guess*) for improved combustion (similar to Seafoam).


Hmmm. Learn something new everyday.

This is NOT to say, I know or can judge whether or not either is effective nor whether one is more effective than the other. It is just to say the chemical functionalities are similar between the two.

Further what kind of dumb ass "Gas Chromatograph/Fuels Chemist" would go to the trouble of analyzing (poorly at that) a product for an internet forum when you can get the approximate composition from the MSDS?


https://www.cbest.chevron.com/msdsSe...true&region=NA

I have no idea what he analyzed, I'm just passing along the info.

Either way, GM uses Techron as their fuel system cleaning product. They market it under their own label. I believe BMW does as well. That should tell you that the stuff has some effect.

It's not possible to get a clear idea of a product's composition from its MSDS alone. There can be ingredients that are not listed in there, such as proprietary ingredients.

Of course you know what he analyzed, you posted the quote.

".... So I got curious and analyzed the Seafoam. ...."

Then he list some generic and apparently inaccurate reuslts.

You most certainly can get a good idea of composition from the MSDS. If there are trade secret elements, they MUST be listed and if they are protected, the MSDS will show something like" xx% - xx% Trade Secret"

Then, even some of that may get specifically identified (with percentages) in the regulatory section for SARA Title III and Prop 65 reporting.

that's right - all ingredients over a tiny percentage (i think) must be listed on the MSDS - federal regulations mandate this on all chemical products.

i own cases upon cases of the BG, its the best shit in the world, i know this because i use it everyday on customer cars.

but have you tried other products?

I used MotorPurr in the shop for years- it was the best stuff in the world...
having never compared it to other cleners

i have discussed this with several porsche owners who did their research and tried various products myself. the porsch owners recommended techron and it so happens that techron additive has produced the most consistent results for me. i have tried liquid berrymans B-12, seafoam, valvoline injector cleaner, lucas-oil products and techron.

i haven't done much technical or chemistry-based research but my gas to mileage numbers have indicated that techron has worked the best and the most consistently for me.

just my two cents.

I have a chevron gas habit-techron automatically added~
well, now they add it too all their grades, not just the 91
It is by their statements- a maitenance doesage in the gas, and a bottle of concentrate should be used too

is techron available at places like the zone and advance? i can't remember noticing.

yup^^ saw it at walmart too

I suspect that since of these products attempt to do a similar job, they will have similar chemisties. It is of course possible that a particular product may do something better than some other product, but overall my guess is that all the reputable brands are doing some good. OTOH -they could *all* be snake oil.

I just took exception to what appeared to me to be, at best, poor information and, at worst, intentional misinformation.

oh i didn't care about that. i was just throwing in my experience is all.

the additives i worry about personally are the ones that you add to the oil and run for 15 minutes before changing it. i have to wonder how good that is for the seals. i used such an additive in my 1990 Chevy Corsica and i found that it did in fact restore power and mileage (possibly by eliminating sludge) but i would imagine that it would shorten seal life on newer vehicles.

cleaners with toululene are not good for rubber seals--thats in stuff like gumout and stp

seafoam is 100% pertoleum products from the hi-detergent end of the oil barrel spectrum
Its even used as emergency starting fluid--makes engines start!

i agree.. slander doesnt make it true.

and i've had more than one acura dealer tell me they recommend seafoaming. they use a similar product which i dont know the name of, but seafoam is good in their book, so im good with it now:2cents:

the machine many places use to do a fuel induction service uses seafoam at 16 oz can to 1/2 gallon fuel and run the car for 20-30 minutes then go for a blowout drive